Fire Door Inspections: What You Need to Know

Keeping a facility up to code and safe for occupants is a crucial role for a building owner and facility manager. When it comes time for a facility’s fire door inspection, a building owner/facility manager wants to ensure they pass inspection. At LaForce, we offer comprehensive fire door inspections, our fire door experts are knowledgeable, helpful, and are FDAI/IQP certified through DHI.

Reducing Risk Through Fire Door Inspection

Consistent inspection and prompt repair of fire doors reduce the risks and liabilities that come with malfunctioning assemblies during a fire. Insights from iDigHardware help to elaborate on the importance of fire doors and proper inspections. Fire doors act as barriers that divide buildings, limit the spread of smoke and flames, and protect egress routes for safe evacuation. Their effectiveness depends on proper selection, installation, and ongoing care. Due to improper modifications and a lack of maintenance, many existing fire doors are unable to perform in the event of a fire.

Conducting an inspection and making the necessary repairs can mitigate the risk and liability of having fire doors that will not function properly in a fire. Below are some common problems our fire door experts witness during inspections.

Top 10 Deficiencies During a Fire Door Inspection:

The following items are the most commonly observed deficiencies found on swinging fire doors with builders’ hardware:

  1. Painted over or missing fire door labels.
  2. Poor clearance dimensions around the perimeter of the door in the closed position.
  3. Kick down door holders.
  4. Auxiliary hardware items that interfere with the intended function of the door (barrel bolts, dead bolts, etc.).
  5. Fire doors blocked to stay in the open position.
  6. Area surrounding the fire door assembly blocked by furniture, equipment, and/or boxes.
  7. Broken, defective, or missing hardware items (latch bolts and/ or strike plates, closer arms, cover plates, etc.).
  8. Fire exit hardware installed on doors that are not labeled for use with fire exit hardware.
  9. Missing or incorrect fasteners.
  10. Bottom flush bolts that do not project 1/2″ into the strikes.

By being aware of and correcting these types of deficiencies, you can better protect everyone inside during a fire. For a more detailed inspection of your fire door, contact your local LaForce Building Maintenance/Aftermarket Consultant here.

Interested in learning more about fire door inspections? Check out LaForce’s fire door inspection video or brochure to learn more. Or fill out our easy-to-use contact form to learn more and schedule your fire door inspection today!